Anxiety Medication

Finding the right medication for General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is like playing Russian roulette.

If you haven't surmised this yet...your doctor has no idea what's going to work for you and what won't. They can't forsee the side effects that you'll be sensitive to or the outcome of the medication for you in the long run.

And knowing anxious souls...looking up medications (and their side effects) online is disastrous. If you've reached the conclusion that you need medication, you have to keep searching for that perfect medication, with the realization that it may not exist, all the while living your daily life.

Medication can take a couple months to take effect and coming off of medication can be...challenging to say the least.

I've experienced coming off of Lexapro. It was a terrifying experience that occured in college. And you can't exactly explain to others around you that you're acting totally...weird...because you're coming off of anxiety medicine.

I experienced "brain zaps" (a painful zapping sensation that flashed across my head) for a couple of days. I felt tired, very anxious, had a throbbing headache and I did my best to go to class and ignore my body's total freak out.

When it comes to anxiety medications, there are SSRI's (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors), SNRI's and other classes of medications (such as anti-depressants).  (READ MORE)

The thing is, neither you nor your doctor can predict your body's response to these medications. And while going from medication to medication (to see what works, or causes the least amount of side effects) you also have to be able to carry on your daily life.

If you haven't experienced anxiety firsthand, consider yourself lucky. It's like a speeding train that takes off in a flash and is very difficult to stop. And those with GAD can feel anxiety for no external reason. They're not in danger, they're not even thinking about their body and then BOOM, you're anxious. Your mouth is dry, your throat is tight, your hands are sweating, your legs feel like jelly, your heart pounds in your chest, it feels hard to breathe and suddenly you can't stop thinking about your body...about whether or not you're okay.

But you are okay. And you must keep that in mind if you are experiencing this anxiety. Remember that these feelings are an illusion, that you aren't in actual danger. Although your body has gotten this physical response rolling, you can slow it down and stop it.

The most important thing in having anxiety is learning to cope and function through it...until either the scary situation is over or your body calms down. You can do this by focusing on external stimuli, by drawing or reading something, by reminding yourself that you are in control (and even more so, God's in control), by engaging in conversation...there are many coping mechanisms out there, find one that works for you!

And while testing out medications, be patient with the process. It's a difficult process, but one that absolutely pays off if you find one that works for you.

Some side effects of medication can be really rough and if they become intolerable, it's not the medicine for you.

It would be so much easier if people could understand what you're going though, but they may not. I've done my very best to strangle my anxiety, often when I tell my friends I suffer from it, they don't believe me because I do my best not to outwardly exhibit it. But on the inside I might be just...a mess.

To someone whose never experienced it firsthand, it can be a hard concept to grasp that your body is like...freaking out when it has no reason to...when you KNOW that it's not logical, when you yourself think it's ridiculous. But it is a very real, very visceral thing that affects more people than you might believe.

I (have learned the hard way that I) am highly suceptable to experiencing side effects. I have found out through a genetic test (that you should ask your doc about) that I metabolize medication rather slowly, and my system is just very sensitive to side effects. Sucks I know. I've had some scary side effect moments and when they occur I let my doctor know and stop taking the medication. So pay attention (but not too much attention) to what your body is telling you while taking new medication.

Did you know that anxiety can be a side effect of ANTI ANXIETY medication?! I mean...it's a real bitch. Just another fact that I discovered personally.

My best advice is to secure a good support system and hang in there. You are far stronger than you might think.

OH and NEVER let anyone make you feel weird or ashamed or bad for considering (or taking) anti-anxiety medication. Of course there's an anti-medication movement...but you need to be able to function and succeed in your life (which MAY require medication). The decision to medicate (and perhaps have your anxiety sliced down to nearly nothing) is yours and yours alone. The only way a person can be qualified to tell you what to do, is if they've walked in your shoes. And they haven't. Talk to a doctor, talk to a therapist/psychiatrist and do whatever feels right for you to do. 

RESOURCES TO EXPLORE
National Institute of Mental Health
Living With Anxiety
Types of Anxieties
Learn More About GAD